The campaigning family of a young Alexandria dancer who lost her life in the River Leven say the news that every secondary pupil in West Dunbartonshire has now been given water safety training is a “positive change” following the tragedy.
Lennox Primary pupil Ava Gray was just 12-years-old when she got into trouble whilst swimming with friends in the River Leven in Balloch.
A year later 16-year-old Connor Markward lost his life in Loch Lomond before, just a day later, Edina Olahova, 29, and her nine-year-old son Rana Haris Ali, died alongside their friend Mohammad Asim Raza, 41, close to Pulpit Rock at Ardlui.
Since Ava’s death her family have campaigned tirelessly for greater water safety awareness, and last week it was confirmed that every pupil at secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire had received water safety lessons.
As a legacy to her, the model used –which was a joint partnership between West Dunbartonshire Council, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – has been so successful that it will be rolled out across the country.
And Ava’s aunt Jamie Gillies told us that she hopes it will avoid a summer of more tragedies in Scotland’s waters.
She said: “I’m so pleased to see that all of our efforts have helped towards making such a positive change in policy across Scotland. It honestly warms my heart to know that there has been such a massive drive from local authorities and partner agencies in pushing education and safety equipment across the country. I really hope it does make a difference.”
Speaking at a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s community planning committee last week, Chief Inspector Coleen Wylie said: “Following tragedies in recent years, particularly around Loch Lomond, we established a water safety partnership.
“That has already seen significant progress made. We’ve had the installation of public rescue equipment, safety signage and a communication strategy. I’m pleased to say that, through collaboration with SFRS, Police Scotland and West Dunbartonshire Council’s education department, water safety inputs have been delivered to every year group in secondary schools across the local authority.
“This is a really positive step which will hopefully go some way towards preventing some of the tragedies we’ve seen in recent years.”
Whilst Joe McKay of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service added: “I can only echo the comments around the Water Safety Policy. I launched the East Dunbartonshire policy last week and that is based on what we have done in West Dunbartonshire. So thanks must go to all the partners for their engagement.”
Council leader Martin Rooney commented: “I want to congratulate everybody involved on what was done.
“The fact that West Dubartonshire’s actions have been picked up as a model which will be adopted across Scotland is really good.”
